Andy Stockhausen's verdict

The signing all City fans wanted, Tomlin arrived amid a veritable fanfare after City paid Bournemouth £3m for his services. Yet to rediscover the brilliant form that made him an instant hit with the Ashton Gate faithful during a successful loan spell last season, the attacking midfielder has nevertheless proved an influential figure, showing flashes of brilliance from time to time. Scored a great free kick goal against Aston Villa and, but for the woodwork, could have had a couple more.

7/10

Mark Ashton on Lee Tomlin's signing

Now at liberty to discuss details of City's most expensive in-coming transfer of the summer, Ashton told The Post: "Signing Lee Tomlin sent a powerful message to the market place. It told people we were serious.

"A lot of those I spoke to saw it as a step change. Once people saw that we could attract that kind of player, their perceptions of Bristol City started to change.

"The stadium played a part in that, Lee Johnson played a part in that, our vision for the future and the stability Steve Lansdown brings all played a part. But add Tomlin into the mix and there can be no doubt where this club is headed.

"Lee Tomlin coming to Bristol City made folk sit up and take notice. There is no doubt it helped us attract other players and his signing has definitely helped give us a solid platform upon which to build."

Recalling the long negotiations and hard work that went into landing the club's prime target, Ashton admitted: "We always knew Tomlin was going to be a difficult deal to do. We wanted to do it early, but I also knew that there were two or three other clubs in for him. He had an outstanding end to the season with us and there was always going to be interest after that.

"It is very hard to put Tomlin into context as a football player and to define what he gives to the team. He is almost like Paul Gascoigne and you would almost say he does not fit the DNA of what we are looking for at Bristol City.

"But he brings something that you cannot overlook. On that basis, we knew we wanted to sign and we knew he was very keen to come to us. But there were potentially bigger clubs flirting around him and we had to push it through.

"That took a lot of work and Bournemouth were on speed dial on my phone at one time! It took me a period to fill in gaps in my knowledge so I could position myself ahead of the market. I needed to know in detail who really was in for him and who wasn't.

"Steve (Lansdown) and Keith Dawe were fantastic. They remained in the background, but were always available to discuss the strategy, the money and the salary we needed to get him. It just took a little bit of time to flush out who was and who wasn't really in for Tomlin, so we could reach a deal with Bournemouth and agree the cash.

"Bournemouth were great. They wanted the best deal possible for themselves and, in the end, we were able to come to an agreement."